Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Cigar Review – Locked and Loaded

One of the many fine Cigar Men i met at this years IPCPR was Dave Cribbin the owner of a small boutique cigar company known as Rolling Thunder Cigars. If you talk to Dave he is passionate about cigars and is quick to note:

“Before founding Rolling Thunder Cigars I literally smoked my way through Ybor City’s cigar makers tasting and refining the blends until I was satisfied that I had a cigar worthy of the name Rolling Thunder Cigars .50CALIBER!

Combining the finest Cuban seed tobacco from Honduras and Nicaragua and rolling cigars with near perfect construction is what sets Rolling Thunder Cigars apart!”

I spent some time with Dave and he introduced me to his small but unique line of cigars known as the .50 Cal. Dave noted that he is a big supporter for of the Cigars for Warriors: association and you can even select to donate some cigars to the association directly from their website where you can purchase them directly.

I have to give credit to any new brand getting into the business in the post FDA regulation era. Today I am pleased to introduce you to the Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano blend which I received from the company at the show for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.

This Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano blend is described as:

Wrapper – Habano Nicaraguan

Binder – Ecuadorian

Filler – Habano Nicaragua (Jalapa, Condega, Esteli)

It is available in 3 vitolas

Gordo 5 x 60 (MSRP $8.35 in bundles of 20)

Robusto 5 x 52 (MSRP $6.00 in bundles of 20)

Toro 6 x 52 (MSPR $$6.75 in bundles of 20)

For this review I sampled the Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano Robusto

Pre-light Examination

The Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano is a fine-looking cigar with its medium to dark brown Habano wrapper that is light on veins and finished with a simple cap. It is a solid robusto with a decent weight in the hand. Looking closer at the wrapper you will notice a bit of toothiness.

The band on this is unique – bright gold and black with the phrase “.50 CAL” printed in bold black ink. Below that is the words “Rolling Thunder” in gold on a black background and the “Cigars” under that in black on the gold background. The band takes up a good third of the cigar and placed on the foot of the cigar.

Running it across the nasals I am greeted with a slightly spicy barrel and enticing fruit and pepper on foot.

Once the cap is cut, the cold draw offered notes of and pepper through an open draw.

Having passed the pre-light exam it is time to fire up the Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano and see how it performs

Cigar Review Notes

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano

Earth and white pepper notes begin the journey

Wow! This baby is locked and loaded as the pepper opens the nasals

Takes a good half-inch for the pepper to settle down

The early earth is joined with delectable buttery spice

Touch of sweetness joins the mix adding more pleasure to the burn

The light grey ash rests on a thin char line

Smoke volume is full with a thick and creamy texture

The aroma has an exotic spice I can’t place

Ash fell after an inch with a flat and centered burn cone

Spice take front and center- kind of cinnamon note

Earth is predominant flavor note

A slight glistening on the wrapper is noticeable as it warms

Burn is pristine

Touch of salt enters along with a nut back note

Spice builds through the second third

Ash darkens in the second third

Flavor maintains down to the final third

Medium Strength

Total Smoking Time was one hour and twenty minutes to the nub

Overall, the Rolling Thunder 50 Cal Habano was good medium smoke with consistent flavor throughout. It had a nice core of spice with a light sweetness and nut in spots. The burn was excellent from foot to nub. This is a cigar that would pair well with a sweet beverage and having smoked a few I found it paired well with a Doctor Pepper.